In a recent survey conducted by BestColleges.com of over 1,000 online learners, an overwhelming 65% of respondents cite flexibility as the top reason for pursuing an online education. These respondents were also less concerned about curriculum specifics or access to on-campus activities. While traditional factors such as affordability, academic excellence and delivery format remain major determining factors, our survey results suggest a majority of students choose to take courses online because they are more convenient.
Beginning with the establishment of a campus in Moscow in 1889, the University of Idaho today serves more than 12,000 through its home campus, education centers in Coeur d'Alene, Boise and Idaho Falls. U of I also provides educational programs at extension offices in 42 Idaho counties and online. Students have a selection of 93 undergraduate and 67 graduate majors, leading to degrees and certificates. Graduates of the university have received National Science Foundation Fellowships, Rhodes Scholarships, and Fulbright Awards. The university has one of the best online colleges in the region, and was has been recognized for its online graduate education programs. Master's level education degrees are offered in adult organizational learning and leadership, educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, physical education, and special education. More than 25 online degrees are offered at U of I, including the M.S., M.Ed., M.S., M.Engr., P.S.M., M.A.T., M.P.A., and Ph.D.
Brandman University maintains a core commitment to delivering a real-world curriculum to their students—one that will be applicable to day one in the marketplace. Brandman’s faculty members are professionals currently working in their fields, so students can feel assured that they are receiving current best-practices. And students receive support from application to graduation through enrollment coaches, academic advisors, and career services. Top degrees include:
As an online student at Creighton University, you’ll experience both the academic rigor of campus-based courses as well as the benefits of Creighton’s exceptional sense of community. Courses provide online discussions and activities to ensure that you regularly interact with classmates. And course sizes are small so faculty can give you personalized attention. Top online degree programs include:
The University of Maine was founded in 1865 along the Stillwater River in Orono, ME. Current enrollment includes 9,279 undergraduates and 1,961 graduate students. The university offers 90 undergraduate programs, 85 master's degree programs, and 35 doctorates at its flagship campus and online. It was ranked among the 50 Green Colleges by The Princeton Review and hosts one of the best online schools in Maine. In fact, UMaine Online offers two undergraduate degrees, 16 master's and doctoral degrees, and 15 graduate certificate programs. There are eight education graduate degrees online, along with in-demand MBA and social work master's programs. Online doctorates are available in biomedicine (engineering and science).
Located in Riverside, California, California Baptist University (CBU)is a private, Christian, liberal arts university with extensive online programming. CBU offers top-ranked online programs—currently, there are over 40 degree options—at the bachelor, masters, and doctoral levels. And CBU Online has been lauded by national rankings like U.S. News and World Report for their high-quality programs.
Full-time students can typically earn an associate degree in two years. An online associate degree is ideal for those who have a high school diploma and who want to quickly gain practical career skills. Associate degrees are less expensive than a bachelor's degree, and many online community colleges offer programs that open the door to vocational and administrative support positions such as legal assistant, medical assistant, and medical biller and coder. An online associate degree program is also a cost-effective way to complete general education requirements before transferring to a four-year program.
Established 130 years ago in Natchitoches, Northwestern State University of Louisiana has extended its community reach through satellite campuses in Alexandria, Shreveport, and Fort Polk - and through its online programs. Two NSU online graduate programs have been ranked in the top-five degrees in education. The master's in special education is a 36-hour program preparing students to excel in elementary and secondary gifted education and early intervention. Online students can also complete an associate degree, 18 online bachelor degrees, 22 master's degrees, and two doctoral programs (education or nursing practice). NSU also offers six hybrid degrees that combine campus settings with online learning. Technology students can earn an online, competency-based Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems that since 1999 has received citations for "Area of Excellence" by the University of Louisiana system.
Students enrolled at Washington State University's Global Campus can choose from a broad selection of online bachelor's programs. These include several options for business majors -- such as degrees in economics, hospitality business management, and integrated strategic communication -- along with a bachelor's in business administration with four concentration options.
Finding the right online learning opportunity may seem challenging. Whether new to distance learning or a seasoned veteran, it's important to identify the situation that meets your education, professional and financial needs. One starting point is to research and review a ranking of top online colleges. Browsing schools with demonstrated online learning excellence can give students a great place to start.
Illinois Online, which is available through the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is one of the best online colleges for adult learners and traditional students alike. One of the reasons the school receives such high marks is because of its Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, which is a one-stop shop for online students to get their questions answered about the distance learning experience. Academically, the school offers dozens of online degree programs, including a bachelor's degree in earth, society, and environmental sustainability and master's degrees in aerospace engineering, translation and interpreting, strategic brand communication, executive human resource development, and food science and human nutrition. There are also certificate programs available on the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students who want to take advantage of Illinois Online without enrolling in a degree program can also choose from dozens of massive open online courses.
MIT is among the top universities in America and they have something called OpenCourseWare, which is a web-based publication created by the school. There are materials from over 2,000 of their courses accessible entirely online and at no cost to you. MIT wanted to provide this resource to educators in order to help them teach more effectively and to independent learners to enrich their lives. There are scholar courses, audio/video courses, online textbooks, and plenty of supplemental resources curated into this one place coming from some of the top educators in the world. MIT continuously updates the database so that all of those who use it have access to the most relevant and in-depth information. No diploma or certificate is offered for free or otherwise; however, this is an incredible way to educate yourself on things you’re curious about. The majority of the material is presented in a self-paced format and also gives you the opportunity to choose what modules to take or skip according to your needs.
Because Appalachian State exclusively offers degree completion programs at the bachelor's level, incoming students need at least 30 credits from another accredited institution. The school also reserves several institutional scholarships for transfer students. Appalachian State University receives regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
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The University of Toledo has been offering online courses for two decades, giving them plenty of time create one of the best online schools in the nation for adults who want to further their career. The flexibility of the courses offered by UT is one of the biggest draws, particularly for adults who are working or have families, or for military members. These students are usually looking for a way to move forward, and the online degrees offered by UT are designed to do just that. With degrees offered from the associate to doctoral level, students and adult learners of all ages can find something that fits their needs, helping them advance their career or learn new skills to pivot into a new field.
When adults—especially moms and dads—think about going back to school, many see no way to squeeze college into their hectic routines. But it is possible—and we’re here with tips for success in online courses. Attending college online helps with that time crunch. Not having to commute to a campus saves adult students several hours per week. These stolen hours can then be applied to home study time. Truth is, the average working American has about 30 hours of free time per week. That’s right: 30 hours. The key is learning how to manage your time tightly.

While most schools prepare students for their career right after they graduate, East Carolina University prepares students for a changing world. This means that their degree programs are designed to give students the knowledge to adapt to changing fields so that they can advance throughout their life. This is particularly true for students who earn an online degree from ECU. Residents of North Carolina and students from across the nation can complete their bachelor's degree online, but what really makes ECU one of the best online colleges in the nation is their master's degree program. With dozens of degrees and focuses available at the graduate level, ECU prepares students for a long, prosperous future in their career.

The University of Florida is one of many online colleges that offers a comprehensive selection of online degrees at the bachelor's level, master's level, and doctoral level. Opportunities for undergraduates include bachelor's degrees in popular fields such as business administration, computer science, nursing, and psychology. Students also enjoy online options in specialized fields such as fire and emergency services, microbiology and cell science, and sport management. Graduate students can choose from a total of 77 online master's degrees, most of which focus on STEM fields and specializations, and nine online doctorate programs.